Progress in Juvenile Justice Reform in 3 States

Efforts by the National Campaign to Reform State Juvenile Justice Systems, a multi-funder initiative supported by the Foundation, have secured important juvenile justice reforms in Colorado, Washington, and New Hampshire. Colorado passed a law to ensure all children are represented by counsel when they appear in court. Lawmakers in Washington passed a bill to keep the majority of juvenile records confidential. In New Hampshire, Governor Hassan signed a bill to reclassify most 17-year-old criminal offenders as juveniles, to ensure they are tried in juvenile court. Bi-partisan developments on the Hill have indicated encouraging momentum toward national juvenile justice reform, including the introduction of the REDEEM Act, which supports diversion of youth from the system and limits solitary confinement, and the formation of the Congressional Caucus on Crime Prevention and Youth Development.